Christchurch mayor pushes for 2022 Commonwealth Games

Christchurch last hosted the Commonwealth games back in the groovy seventies. File photo / NZ Herald

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker is suggesting that New Zealand should bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games with a rebuilt Christchurch City hosting the opening and closing events.

"We have seen how well Rugby World Cup 2011 worked having Auckland as the central venue for what was truly a stadium of four million people. I can envisage the same scenario for Christchurch's role in hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games," says Mr Parker. "I am suggesting that Christchurch would host the opening and closing ceremonies along with both the track and field and swimming events, with other events spread throughout the country.

"To host the 2022 Commonwealth Games would be a wonderful goal for the city. The city needs an aspirational target and in 2022 we will have a stunning new city to introduce to the world. Let us, along with our Government, embrace this challenge. We have to rebuild our sports facilities anyway and will have the greater part of the budget to do this from insurance payouts."

Mr Parker says that given the most devastating earthquake struck on February, 22, 2022 is a very significant number for Christchurch.